Historical Context - Analysis Questions Close Reading: What was United States foreign policy in the early years?

The United States' foreign policy in its early years was primarily focused on avoiding entanglement in European conflicts, as articulated in George Washington's Farewell Address in 1796. This policy, often referred to as isolationism, aimed to prioritize the nation's domestic development and avoid alliances that could draw it into the power struggles of Europe. The Monroe Doctrine in 1823 further emphasized a commitment to non-intervention in European affairs while asserting opposition to European colonization or interference in the Americas. Overall, the early U.S. foreign policy sought to maintain a position of neutrality and non-involvement in European conflicts.